their souls ; so that either you could produce no conviction upon their minds, or, if you have silenced their objections, you could not prevail upon them to act agreeably to the light they had received ? I ask also, in reference to yourselves, Whether, if at any time you have suffered your minds to be influenced by that unworthy principle, it has not rendered your views of truth obscure, and your compliance with it difficult ? I will yet further ask, Whether a carnal and a spiritual mind be not opposed to each other, as darkness to light ; and whether the prevalence of one must not, in proportion as it prevails, dispel the other? Yes: it is an acknowledged and unquestionable truth, " that we cannot serve God and Mammon." If, then, the intimation in our text be confirmed by all that we see in others, and all that we experience in ourselves, let it be treasured up in our minds as a rule of action, and be referred to continually for the regulation of our hearts and lives.]
2. A ground of exhortation —
[Look not for the honour that cometh of man ; for it is not to be obtained without sacrifices that are far too costly for so worthless an acquisition. Let your hearts be right with God. Let his revealed will be your sure directory : and regard nothing in opposition to it. Seek to please him at all events, though you should displease the whole world. I mean not by this, that you should not listen to good advice : for it is highly desirable that you should " walk wisely in a perfect way." But. let that advice alone be followed, that is founded on the word of God. And be careful to keep a conscience void of offence : and so to walk before God, that you may be approved of him, and receive from him at last that testimony of his ap- probation, " Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."